For the first time, technical support for NetBeansTM 5.0 will now be available through the Expert Assistance for Developers - a new Sun Developer Network Program currently in beta mode. Through this program, a developer can get assistance for Sun developer tools, the JavaTM Platform, Standard Edition (JavaTM SE) and the NetBeans IDE.

Diagnostic and coding advice, workarounds and best practices guidance are all available free while this support program is in beta. The program will provide general advice and guidance on the use of APIs, functions, methods, product features and related programming techniques to the extent of providing examples wherever possible. Developers can get pointers to relevant sample applications and documentation that addresses a particular issue. However, finished pieces of code tailored to the specific requirements will not be provided.

Through this program, developers can pose a question to a Sun engineer, who will respond by email within 24 hours, either with an answer or a commitment to track down the information. Follow-on questions to an original query are permitted, giving developers the opportunity to exchange further information and data with Sun until the case is satisfactorily closed.